Why Alonso is still around and more!

[CAD]

I'm not sure I was directly making a comparison between the two in that I prefer Gerrard higher up the pitch. What I mean though is that Gerrard goes searching for the ball even when that is against the interests of the team. Prime example would be the United games last year - he always came back to get the ball and hence we he and anyone he layed the ball off to had no options. When last played on the right he had a tendency to do the same thing taking the freedom he was given and ending up too central or on the left and destrying the team shape and narrowing the options for his team mates. The comparison I would make would be with the runs made by the Spanish team mates of Xabi when he plays for them - I would say that their off the ball work is what marks them out as having footballing intelligence and is what I think Gerrard tends to lack.

Nicely put and I agree completely

[Johnny]

Think you're right. In my head Alonso/Gerrard as a combo should work, shouldn't it?

Alonso had it all that day against Everton. He dictated pace, was a playmaker and creative outled and there was Glenn Hoddle passes all over the final 1/3 and he played a beut in defense at the same time. But he was given space for some reason by the Bitters in the last half. Thing is, we were too easy to read last season with Alonso next to Mascher. Take his space and he crumbles everytime. Gerrard offers so much more because he's so versatile and adaptable plus he's a goalthreat. Intelligent, hmm, I think that Gerrard plays in a higher gear than Alonso. Less intelligent, I'm really not sure about that to be honest.

I'm not sure I was directly making a comparison between the two in that I prefer Gerrard higher up the pitch. What I mean though is that Gerrard goes searching for the ball even when that is against the interests of the team. Prime example would be the United games last year - he always came back to get the ball and hence we he and anyone he layed the ball off to had no options. When last played on the right he had a tendency to do the same thing taking the freedom he was given and ending up too central or on the left and destrying the team shape and narrowing the options for his team mates. The comparison I would make would be with the runs made by the Spanish team mates of Xabi when he plays for them - I would say that their off the ball work is what marks them out as having footballing intelligence and is what I think Gerrard tends to lack.

It`s feck all to do with pride.Rafa decided to cash in on Xabi while he still had a decent value.
Xabi then decided to reverse the form he was in and now some are creaming themselves that The Xabi we know can play "world C;ass" football has returned.
Maybe the threat of being sold gave Xabi the kick up the ass he deserved.
Well played Rafa.

Nicely put and I agree completely

You ignored my post completely.
I`m gonna neg you now.